In 2017, one vehicle theft was reported every 40.9 seconds in the United States. While vehicle thefts continue to trend downward, they’re still a huge problem for many across the country. Today, we’ll cover the most stolen cars, what you need to know to prevent your car from being stolen, what you should do if your vehicle is stolen, and what’s likely covered by your Auto insurance.
What are the Most Stolen Cars? According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, The Honda Civic and the Honda Accord are the top two most frequently stolen cars among all model years, followed by Ford and Chevrolet full-sized Pickups, Toyota Camrys, Nissan Altimas, Toyota Corollas, Dodge and GMC full-sized Pickups, and Chevy Impalas. Many of these stolen vehicles are older models with less sophisticated anti-theft systems. The ten most frequently stolen vehicles 2017 model year vehicles are Nissan Altimas, Toyota Camrys, GMC full-sized Pickups, Hyundai Elantras, Ford Fusions, Ford full-sized Pickups, Ram Pickups, Toyota Corollas, GMC Savanas, and Hyundai Sonatas. If you have one of these cars, it might make sense to take extra security measures.
What are the Best Ways to Prevent Car Theft? Looking for the best ways to prevent car theft? These tips could help!
Always lock your car, even while you’re driving
Never leave your keys in your car while you’re not in it
Don’t leave your car running while unattended, even during the winter
Don’t leave valuables in the car, especially not in plain view
Install anti-theft systems; some even come with Auto insurance discounts
Park in well-lit, heavily trafficked areas
Etch your cars VIN number into the windows
Don’t leave your vehicle title in the car, or if you do, keep it in a secret location
What to do When Your Car is Stolen?
If your car is stolen, there are two important steps you should take as soon as possible: filing a police report and filing an insurance claim.
Filing a Police Report If your car is stolen, you should file a police report as soon as possible. While only about 46% of stolen cars are recovered, reporting a stolen vehicle within 24 hours can help improve the chances of recovering your stolen car. Here’s what the police will likely want to know:
Your vehicle’s VIN number and license plate number
The year, make, & model of your car
The place & estimated time of theft
Any identifying marks on the car (i.e. scratches, dents, bumper stickers)
Filing an Insurance Claim
Once you’ve spoken to the police, you’ll want to file a claim with your agent or insurance carrier. While your trusted insurance agent will walk you through the process, here are the types of information that might be requested.
Certificate of Title for the vehicle
Key location (before & after theft)
Names & numbers of everyone with access to the vehicle
A list of personal property in the stolen vehicle
An in-depth description of the vehicle (i.e. mileage, options, service records, etc.)
Does Auto Insurance Cover a Stolen Car?
The short answer? It depends on your coverage. Typically, comprehensive Auto insurance covers the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your car, minus the deductible amount. Some policies include Rental Car Reimbursement, which could cover certain rental costs incurred while your claim is being processed. If you had valuable personal items in your car, such as a mobile phone or laptop, you may be eligible to file an independent Homeowner’s or Renter’s insurance claim, as these items will not be included in the ACV of the car.
ABOUT HURLEY INSURANCE Since 1939, Hurley Insurance has been serving the personal insurance, business insurance and life insurance needs of all of Lawrence and Scioto Counties in Ohio. A long time Grange independent insurance agency located in Ironton, OH, Hurley Insurance has deep roots in the community, and is committed to providing the highest quality local service to our clients.